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Albert Naughton :: 1949-1961

A world record signing in November 1949 from Widnes, costing £4,600. He played for the club in France in a friendly before making his debut in the 17-0 home defeat of Whitehaven, scoring a try. That season he won a Challenge Cup medal, beating a Widnes team containing his brother Johnny, but missing another brother Danny, who was on Tour at the time.

At 6ft and 12st 6lbs, he established himself as a centre with a rock-like defence, pace and great handling ability. In 1950/51 “Ally” finished up with two runners-up medals for the Lancashire Cup and Championship. As captain of the 1953/54 side he was forced to miss out as both Challenge Cup and League Championship were won, due to an aggravated calf injury.

He was not to be denied however, for on 14th May 1955 he became our last captain to hold up the Championship trophy, when Oldham were beaten 7-3 in the mud at Maine Road. He also gained a Lancashire Cup winners’ medal in 1959.

His last appearance for the club was at loose forward at Odsal, Bradford, in the 1961 Championship final, when Leeds won the trophy for their first time 25-10. Ally picked up a leg injury in a 1961/62 pre season trial game and was forced to retire.